Saint-Louis ¦ Patrimoine mondial (Unesco)

Renovation of a house of great interest according to the safeguarding and enhancement plan.

Saint-Louis Island (Northern Senegal, UNESCO World Heritage Site) is situated in an exceptional natural setting, cradled by the waters of the Senegal River and protected from the ocean by a strip of sand called the "Langue de Barbarie". This region is also remarkable for the presence of the last mangroves before the Mauritanian desert.

During this renovation, we meter by meter "cut the walls" at their base to install a membrane preventing the significant capillary rise that is prevalent in Saint-Louis.

All the structures were restored to their original condition (woodwork, balconies, roofing and framework). The lime renders prepared on site (slaked quicklime, mixed for several months) are faithful to traditional practices for this type of brick construction (19th century house). A solar installation provides a certain level of autonomy for the building.Text

By Laurent Biot (2011-2014)